The Detroit Tigers Pitching Overview

The Detroit Tigers offense has been bad so far in 2023. It’s been really bad and fans will continue to point fingers at the offense for the team’s struggles. But the pitching may not be getting the credit it deserves. Let’s take a look at the Detroit Tigers pitching & give credit where credit is due.

Final line for Joey Wentz:
5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K
31 CSW%. Induced 11 whiffs, including six with his changeup
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 28, 2023

The Veterans

The Detroit Tigers pitching staff had been led by Eduardo Rodriguez. E-Rod has had one of the best starts to any season of his career & is absolutely locked in. The other two veterans in the starting rotation are Matthew Boyd & Michael Lorenzen. The two big free agent signings for the Tigers have been a mixed bag so far in 2023. Lorenzen has been hit around in a couple of his starts arising questions of him staying in the rotation.

Matthew Boyd has been missing bats with his improved changeup, but the home runs have still been a bit of a problem for him. In terms of the veterans in the bullpen, you could argue improvement needs to be made. Chasen Shreve got hit around pretty bad by Baltimore on Thursday. The other veteran, Jose Cisnero has still been a solid veteran presence in the bullpen.

We hear from Matt Boyd, who kept the Brewers under control in the Tigers' 4-2 victory in Milwaukee.#RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/pciI7OMMos
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 25, 2023

The Youngsters

Jason Foley & Alex Lange would still be considered youngsters on the roster, as they are both 27 years old & hopefully will be long term pieces for the Tigers. Both have been very good for Detroit & seem to be the 8th & 9th inning duo for the Tigers. Mason Englert has been the other youngster making waves out of the Tigers pen.

AJ Hinch has trusted the 23-year-old Englert in high leverage situations & he has delivered. His season has been up & down, but Englert seems to be figuring things out as of late. If we go back to the rotation, Joey Wentz is another player we can highlight. Wentz held his own in game one against the Orioles but has had command issues this season. At just 25-years-old, Tigers fans should be patient with Wentz & hope he can find consistency as a fourth or fifth starter.

Joey Wentz talks about his six strikeout outing in his second matchup with Baltimore this season. pic.twitter.com/ewpun8OOcr
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 28, 2023

Help on the Way

The Detroit Tigers pitching staff should have some reinforcements coming soon. Matt Manning had a strong couple of starts to his season before he suffered a fractured bone in his foot. Hopefully Manning can return in at the end of May or early June. Another young starter who is injured is Beau Brieske. The righty was diagnosed with a right ulnar nerve entrapment, where he experienced numbness & tingling in his arm.

Tarik Skubal is the big-name Tigers fans will hope to get back this season. He threw his first bullpen session this week & will look to return by the all-star break. Manning, Brieske & Skubal being healthy will go a long way in solidifying the Tigers pitching depth for 2023 & beyond.